Indonesia has expressed its objections to Pacific countries’ concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Papua at a recent annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Tuvalu.
The summit, held in the island nation’s capital Funafuti from Tuesday to Friday, was attended Pacific nation leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
In a communique issued on Friday, they "strongly encouraged" Indonesia to finalize the timing of a visit by the United Nations high commissioner for human rights to investigate alleged human rights abuses and allow the commissioner to create an “evidence-based, informed report” on the situation in Papua.
They further “reaffirmed recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua” and demanded that the report be completed before next year’s PIF summit.
“We have raised our...